Eleven Chorale Preludes

The Eleven Chorale Preludes, Op. 122, are a collection of chorale preludes for organ by Johannes Brahms, composed in 1896, and published posthumously in 1902.

The eleven pieces are relatively short and are based on selected verses of nine separate Lutheran chorales. This work is considered a final statement on Brahms' life and pending death. One of the selections is a prayer for healing and restoration to health. Some organists sense that there is a "good-bye" in the last prelude based on "O Welt, ich muss dich lassen" ("O World, I Now Must Leave Thee").

Preludes

1. Mein Jesu, der du mich
2. Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
3. O Welt, ich muss dich lassen
4. Herzlich tut mich erfreuen
5. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele
6. O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen
7. O Gott, du frommer Gott
8. Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen
9. Herzlich tut mich verlangen
10. Herzlich tut mich verlangen (second version)
11. O Welt, ich muss dich lassen (second version)

Transcriptions

Preludes 4, 5, and 8–11 were transcribed for solo piano by Ferruccio Busoni in 1902 as BV B 50. These transcriptions have been recorded by Paul Jacobs.

External links

• Eleven Chorale Preludes, Op. 122: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
• Works by Brahms, including the Eleven Chorale Preludes, performed on virtual organs